Gentile BELLINI - The miracle of the Cross (1500)

 

The miracle of the Cross

1500
Oil painting on canvas (323x430 cm)
Accademia Gallery, Venice

*******

During the Venetian Renaissance the architecture and beauty of the city on the water were the greatest pride of the inhabitants of the area; the custom of the time was to commission works for the most important anniversaries.

Subject of the work in this, it seems to be the "miracle" from which it takes its name; however, it must be said that the real subject of the composition, once again, is Venice and her daily life.

Gentile gives space to gondoliers, friars, women and men of high society, as well as the palaces and canals of his beautiful city.

We have to spend a lot of time looking at this painting, the details are many and amazing: the jewels of the ladies, the bricks of the fireplaces, ... everything is painted with great precision.

The light used by Gentile Bellini is delicate and allows you to easily distinguish one figure from another, and highlights the buildings.

Gentile was born into an important family of artists, his father Jacopo and his brother Giovanni have created works of great beauty and undisputed fame.

In 1479 Gentile was called to Constantinople to paint the portrait of Mohammed II on commission.

Comparing artists: Giovanni Bellini, Bellotto, Canaletto, Guardi, Hiroshige